Answers to “Questions for Study and Review,” Chapter 15, Blood Vessels and Blood

Circulation

Building Understanding

Fill in the Blank

1. arterioles

2. vasomotor center

3. precapillary sphincter

4. hypotension

5. phlebitis

Matching

6. (c) ischemia

7. (d) aneurysm

8. (e) hemorrhage

9. (b) thrombus

10. (a) embolus

Multiple Choice

11. (b) epithelium

12. (a) vena cava

13. (d) diffusion

14. (d) celiac trunk

15. (c) arteriosclerosis

Understanding Concepts

16.

a) Arteries carry blood away from the heart and toward the tissues. Veins carry blood away

from the tissues and toward the heart. Arteries carry highly oxygenated blood, except for

the pulmonary and umbilical arteries. Veins carry blood low in oxygen, except for the

pulmonary and umbilical veins.

b) Arterioles, small subdivisions of the arteries, carry blood into the capillaries. Venules,

small vessels that merge to form veins, carry blood away from the capillaries.

c) An anastomosis is a connection between two blood vessels that allows for alternate

circulatory routes to the same structure. A venous sinus is a large channel that drains

blood but does not have the usual tubular structure of the veins.

d) Narrowing of a blood vessel is called vasoconstriction; dilation of a blood vessel is called

vasodilation.

e) Systolic pressure results from contraction of the ventricles and averages 120 mm Hg.

Diastolic pressure occurs during ventricular relaxation and averages 80 mm Hg.

17. The thickness and elasticity of a blood vessel correlate with its functions. An artery’s wall is

thick and elastic, exerting high pressure on the blood within the vessel. In comparison with an

artery, a vein’s wall is less thick and elastic. A vein gives way under pressure and exerts less

pressure on the blood within it. Veins, unlike arteries, have valves to keep blood moving

forward. A capillary has the thinnest wall, allowing substances to diffuse into and out of the

vessel.

18.
 a) The pathway of blood from the left ventricle to the right side of the head and neck is as

follows: left ventricle, aortic arch, brachiocephalic artery, and right common carotid

artery, to the right side of the head and neck.

b) The pathway of blood from the left ventricle to the lateral surface of the left hand is as

follows: left ventricle, aortic arch, left subclavian artery, left axillary artery, and left

radial artery to the lateral surface of the left hand.

c) The pathway of blood from the left ventricle to the right foot is as follows: left ventricle,

aortic arch, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, right common iliac artery, right external iliac

artery, right femoral artery, right popliteal artery, and right anterior tibial artery to the

foot.

d) The pathway of blood from the left ventricle to the liver is as follows: left ventricle,

aortic arch, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, celiac trunk, and hepatic artery to the liver.

e) The pathway of blood from the left ventricle to the small intestine is as follows: left

ventricle, aortic arch, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, and superior mesenteric artery to

the small intestine.

19. The path of blood from the wall of the small intestine to the right atrium is small intestine,

superior mesenteric vein, hepatic portal vein, liver sinusoids, hepatic veins, and inferior vena

cava to the right atrium. Going through the liver on this trip serves to deliver nutrients to the liver

for further processing.

20. Three mechanisms that promote blood’s return to the heart are contraction of skeletal

muscles, which press on the veins; one-way valves; and breathing, which presses on the

abdominal veins and lowers pressure in the thorax.

21. Blood pressure is influenced by total blood volume; cardiac output based on heart rate and

stroke volume; peripheral resistance based on blood vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and blood

vessel length; and blood vessel compliance and elasticity.

22. Some symptoms of arteriosclerosis include leg cramps, pain, and sudden lameness (caused

by lower limb ischemia); headaches, dizziness, and mental disorders (caused by brain ischemia);

palpitations, dyspnea, paleness, weakness, and angina (caused by heart ischemia); increased

urine output with the appearance of albumin (caused by renal ischemia); and hypertension,

ulceration, and tissue necrosis (caused by narrowing of blood vessels throughout the body,

resulting in ischemia).

23. Shock is a life-threatening condition caused by inadequate blood flow to the body tissues.

Some symptoms of shock are clammy skin, anxiety, low blood pressure, rapid pulse, rapid and

shallow breathing, and weakened heart contractions. Shock can be classified on the basis of

cause (cardiogenic, septic, hypovolemic, and anaphylactic) and severity of symptoms (mild to

severe).

24.

a) pulmonary veins 15

b) common carotid artery 2; vertebral artery 3

c) renal vein 9

d) common iliac artery 10

e) left subclavian artery 13

Conceptual Thinking

25.
  Osmotic pressure is the “pulling force” that draws fluid from the tissues back into the

capillaries.

 Loss of proteins in the urine lowers blood osmotic pressure.

 Decreased blood osmotic pressure prevents tissue fluid from returning to the capillaries,

which results in edema.

26.

 Cliff has hypertension (high blood pressure).

 If left untreated, Cliff is at increased risk for stroke, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and

kidney disease.

 Treatment options for Cliff include changes in diet, increased exercise, weight loss, and

drug therapy.

27.

 Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) causes swelling and pain caused by poor venous return to

the heart. It may lead to phlebitis, inflammation of the veins.

 There is also danger of the clot breaking loose and traveling to the lungs, resulting in

shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fainting, and potentially death.

 Thrombosis is treated with anticoagulant drugs to prevent further development of the clot

and additional clot formation.

 Wearing compression stockings, elevating the leg, and avoiding long periods of sitting or

standing help prevent DVT.

 Surgery may be recommended with placement of a filter in the vein to prevent formation

of an embolus.